If you’re like a lot of people out there, you probably think holistic dentistry is all about using healing crystals, incense, and the power of positive thinking to cure dental disease. Although this school of thought might seem a little hippy-dippy, it’s actually rooted in a practical, scientifically-backed approach to overall healing. At its heart, holistic dentistry believes in treating the whole patient and taking measures to prevent oral health problems, rather than just treating a problem once it occurs. To shed more light on this fascinating field, we’re separating truths from falsehoods about holistic dentistry.
True or False: Eating a modified diet can improve your oral health.
True. While cutting the amount of sugar you consume will certainly reduce your risk for tooth decay and gum disease, a dietary approach to improving oral health is as much about adding as it is about taking away. A number of studies have shown that a diet rich in full-fat dairy product (especially from grass-fed cows), bone broths, raw and cooked vegetables, and eggs can reduce the spread of tooth decay. Leafy greens and fruits and veggies high in Vitamin C and other antioxidants can even reduce your risk of gum disease.
True or False: Getting braces can help prevent cavities.
True. Although we tend to think about braces as fixing the way our teeth look, braces also strive to improve the way your teeth function in relation to each other. When teeth are crowded together, for instance, they create hard-to-clean spaces that encourage the buildup of bacterial plaque. Left undisturbed, that plaque will harden, encourage the growth of more bacteria, and eventually eat into the enamel, leaving behind cavities and a higher risk for gum disease. Braces address crowded teeth and improve your ability to thoroughly floss and brush.
True or False: Gum disease isn’t really that serious.
False. Letting gum disease go untreated will result in the loss of your teeth and you’re your good health. Practitioners of holistic dentistry have long recognized that the health of the teeth and gums is intimately connected to the health of the rest of the body. Today, mainstream dentistry has become more accepting of this concept, especially as a growing body of evidence demonstrates that untreated periodontitis (gum disease) can increase a patient’s risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and respiratory illnesses.
About Brad Greenfield, DDS
Dr. Brad Greenfield practices family, restorative, cosmetic, and sedation dentistry with a holistic approach to patient care and comfort. To schedule an appointment with your Lake Orion, MI dentist, call (248) 693-6213. We proudly serve patients of all ages in Clarkston, Auburn Hills, Oxford, Rochester Hills, and neighboring communities.
